During World War II, conscription to the German Army began with men aged 18 to 26 years. As the stock of soldiers was depleted, the Nazis began drafting men aged 27 to 33 years, then 34 to 44, followed by 45 to 54, and finally aged 55 to 64.

We don’t know what age Hans is, but he is likely to be over 40, which explains why he wasn’t conscripted until 1942, three years after the onset of war.